ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Special Service and Features
Union Minister of State V Muraleedharan to visit Australia and Singapore
Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Shri V. Muraleedharan will undertake visits to Melbourne and Perth in Australia and Singapore from 18-21 February 2023. During the visit, MoS will meet with Ministers and broad cross-sections of the Indian community. This will also include engagements with businesspersons and students.
The visits to Australia and Singapore are in continuation of his visits to Nadi, Fiji to attend the 12th World Hindi Conference from 15-17 February 2023 and to Sydney, Australia on 13 February 2023.
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Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Upliftment of Women of Backward Communities
National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation , an organization under the aegis of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has the following two women specific schemes for targeted women whose annual family income is less than Rs. 3.00 lakh per annum:
 Mahila Samriddhi Yojana:
To provide Micro Finance to women entrepreneurs of Backward Classes.
 New Swarnima Scheme for Women:
Term Loan to inculcate the spirit of self-dependence among the women of Backward Classes
This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
6TH JWGACTC MEETING IN INDIA  VISIT OF US JOINT WORKING GROUP ON AIRCRAFT CARRIER TECHNOLOGY
The 6th meeting of Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation , constituted under the auspices of the Indo – US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative , was organised in India from 27th February to 3rd March. An 11 member US delegation headed by RAdm James Downey, Programme Executive Officer , Carriers visited various defence/ industrial installations in Delhi and Kochi. The opening session of the Joint Working Group Meeting was held on 27th February at New Delhi and was co-chaired by RAdm Sandeep Mehta, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects .
During the meeting, RAdm Downey acknowledged India’s status as one of the very few countries capable of constructing Aircraft Carriers and appreciated India’s landmark achievement of operating the indigenous aircraft, LCA from the indigenous Carrier in a short span of time post commissioning of the Ship. Further, both sides highlighted the good work undertaken by the Joint Working Group so far. Plans for future co-operation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology were also discussed and a joint statement released. As part of the visit, the US delegation also interacted with the senior leadership at both Delhi and Kochi. The meeting marked yet another significant milestone in the ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the field of Aircraft Carrier technology.
Ministry of Mines
Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi Congratulates Ms.Akanksha Kumari,
The First Ever Woman Mining Engineer to work in Underground Mines
Akanksha Kumari’s Achievement is the True Example of Progressive Governance to Promote Gender Equality: says Minister Pralhad Joshi
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi has congratulatedMs. AkankshaKumari, the first ever woman mining engineer of Central Coalfields Ltd under the Ministry of Coal. In a tweet, the Minister complimented AkankshaKumari for becoming the first ever woman mining engineer to work in an underground mine atChuri, North Karanpura area of Central Coalfields Ltd.
Shri Joshi said that AkankshaKumari’s achievement is the true example of progressive governance to promote gender equality and generate more opportunities by the present Government under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi by allowing women to work in underground coal mines.
AkankshaKumari, a mining graduatehas joined the Churi underground mines, in North Karanpura area of Central Coalfields Limited. In the process, she became the first woman Mining Engineer to join CCL. Women employees have been shouldering the responsibilities ranging from officer to doctor to security guard and even running heavy machines like dumper and shovel and have excelled in each role. However, this is the first time when the core mining activity of one of the biggest coal mining companies of the world will witness this progressive change. The enormity of her achievement can be gauged by the fact that Akanksha is the second mining engineer in the Maharatna conglomerate Coal India Limited and the first woman to work in an underground coal mine.
A resident of Barkagaon in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, Akanksha completed her schooling from NavodayaVidyalaya. Belonging to a mining belt she witnessed coal mining activities from close quarters and was enamored by it since her childhood. Thus, she developed a natural inquisitiveness towards mines and its activities since childhood, which led her to opt for mining engineering at BIT Sindri,Dhanbad.
Before joining Coal India Limited, she worked for three years in Hindustan Zinc Limited’s Balaria mines in Rajasthan. She credits her family for the unflinching support given to her to follow her dreams. She said joining Coal India Limited was fulfillment of her childhood dream and hopes to deliver her best.
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Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
University of Kota beats Ch. Bansi Lal University to win Men's kabaddi gold
I hope the organisers of the Pro Kabaddi league will consider including the players in the draft for the next season: Shri Anurag Thakur
University of Kota and Chaudhary Bansi Lal University's men teams served up a treat in the final of the men's kabaddi competitions in Bengaluru today, concluding a grand spectacle at the Khelo India University Games 2021.
The opening game of the day was the women's final contested by Kurukshetra University and Maharshi Dayanand University. Kurukshetra's dominance right from the start saw them run out easy winners.
The real highlight was reserved for later — the men's final — with Shri Anurag Singh Thakur the Minister for Sports, Youth Affairs and Information and Broadcasting in attendance. In addition, Pro Kabaddi League players Pawan Sehrawat, Ajay Thakur and Naveen Kumar were in attendance. Enthralled by the high quality contest, the Minister requested that the Pro Kabaddi League consider including players from the two finalists into the draft for the ninth season.
"I was sitting with some of these superstars from the league, and I asked them how much difference there was between them and the boys playing here," Shri Thakur said. "They said that some of these players could definitely be part of the teams in the league.
"Having heard that, I hope the organisers of the league will consider including the players in the draft for the next season. It will be a game changing moment for Indian sport," Shri Thakur said. An opportunity for university sports to regain precedence in our sporting system."
The final itself was tightly found for over a third of the game, University of Kota and CBLU not giving the other an inch to spare. The two teams were separated by a maximum of two points, till halfway through the second half, when University of Kota forced an all out, to race into a lead, one they consolidated to triumph by 15 points and grab gold, — their first of the games.
"I think we were all a bit nervous in the first half," Kota's captain Ashish said. "The atmosphere, the lights, the sound, and the occasion threw us off. In the second half though, our coach told us to concentrate on the game itself, and well, the result soon arrived."
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Updates
Centre asks States to engage with the private sector for augmenting healthcare infrastructure, and provisioning of critical care at reasonable rates
There have been several reports indicating an emerging shortage of healthcare infrastructure including hospitals with ICU beds, ventilators, oxygen supported beds etc., for management of COVID-19 patients. There have also been reports of overcharging by healthcare providers for COVID-19 treatment.
Being seized of the emerging scenario, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has addressed the States/UTs to engage with the private healthcare providers to facilitate enhanced bed availability and critical care health facilities as well as to ensure fair and transparent charges for services provided. In this regard, some States have already taken initiative. They have reached an agreement with the private sector on reasonable rates and arrangements to provide critical care for in-patient admissions. PMJAY package  and CGHS package rates are already available with the States . The latter rates are fixed area wise.
In order to ensure that patients receive prompt, good quality and care at reasonable rates, it has been suggested to States to have consultations with the local private healthcare providers and arrive at reasonable rates, while factoring in cost elements for personal safety equipments for healthcare providers. It has been suggested that the rates, once fixed, must be widely publicized so that both the patients and service providers are fully aware and capacities are used optimally. States have also been asked to proactively engage with the private sector health providers and consider pooling in public and private healthcare facilities, as this will help in providing prompt, good quality and reasonable health care to COVID-19 patients.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
ICAR-CCARI, GOA Celebrates 33rd Foundation Day
Goa | April 1, 2022
Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Goa today celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day. Shri Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR-CCARI, Shri Arun Kumar Mishra, Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Social Welfare, Power, Environment and Dr Dinesh Kannan, Conservation of Forests were present on the occasion.
Shri Arun Kumar Mishra congratulated ICAR-CCARI for the technical development, innovations and research work. The Agricultural, Fisheries and Dairy sector helped a lot to grow as a nation since Independence. Now from 2019, the Government is providing free ration to 80 crore citizens through Pradhanmantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, said Shri Mishra.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Parveen Kumar said that new initiatives like Potato and Cauliflower cultivation were taken for the first time in Goa. In the coming days we will see potatoes and Cauliflower grown in Goa.
Speaking on the achievements of the institute, Parveen Kumar informed that, the institution has developed 17 different varieties. Goa Dhan1, Goa Dhan2, Goa Dhan 3, Goa Dhan4; 4 varieties of rice, Goa Cashew1, Goa Cashew2, Goa Cashew3, Goa Cashew4; 4 varieties of Cashew, Goa Brinjal1, Goa Brinjal2, Goa Brinjal3, Goa Brinjal4, Goa Brinjal5, Goa Brinjal6; 6 varieties of Brinjal and Cowpea, Red Amaranthus and Okra.
ICAR, CCARI Goa has developed a novel boar semen extender  which is granted a patent. Institute also developed 4 talc-based bio-formulation for plant growth promotion and disease control in paddy and vegetables and low cost bypass fat production technology that increased 20% milk yield.
Geographical Indications  tag granted for Goa Cashew Feni , Khola Chilli , Myndoli Banana  and the process to get GI tag for Goan pork sausage is under process.
Using Information Technology, Institute developed Decision Support System - 26 lakh views, Fertilizer calculator Goa app-78,000 installs, STFR Goa online webportal-60,000 users and 22,0. Potential Fishing Zone -Fish search time reduced 50% and catch increased by 120%. Digital repository of technical publications-82,6and WhatsApp based web agri stat package.
Institute stated weather forecasting and advisory twice a week since 2019 in English and Konkani. Farmers in the state got additional income of 9 crores in three seasons by adopting the agro-advisory services.
On the foundation day scientists and staff were awarded appreciation certificates for exemplary work.
Vice President's Secretariat
Vice President Greets people on the eve of Christmas
The Vice President of India, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu has greeted the people on the eve of Christmas. In a message, he said that Christmas is a joyous occasion that reminds us of the eternal values of compassion and forgiveness, of love and empathy. We need to constantly keep these values as the guiding starts for us to lead healthy, happy and fulfilled lives, he added.
Following is the text of Vice President’s message:
“I extend my warm greetings and best wishes to all our citizens on the auspicious occasion of Christmas - celebration of the birth of Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas is a joyous occasion that reminds us of the eternal values of compassion and forgiveness, of love and empathy. We need to constantly keep these values as the guiding stars for us to lead healthy, happy and fulfilled lives.
May this festival bring peace, harmony and happiness in our lives.”
Prime Minister's Office
Joint Unveiling of Buddha Statue by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President of Mongolia HE Mr. Khaltmaagiin Battulga
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and H.E. Mr Khaltmaagiin Battulga, President of Mongolia, jointly unveiled a statue of Lord Buddha and his two disciples, installed at the historic Gandan Tegchenling Monastery in Ulaanbaatar.
Prime Minister had offered prayers at the Gandan Tegchenling Monastery during his visit to Mongolia in 2015 and had announced to gift a statue of Lord Buddha to the monastery, underlining the common Buddhist heritage and civilizational links between our two countries and peoples.
The Statue depicts Lord Buddha in a sitting posture along with his two disciples conveying the message of compassion along with peace and co-existence. The statue was installed and consecrated at the Gandan Monastery earlier this month during the third edition of SAMVAAD dialogue held in Ulaanbaatar from 6 – 7 September 2019. Third edition of SAMVAAD dialogue brought together Buddhist religious leaders, experts and scholars from different countries to deliberate on contemporary issues related to Buddhism.
Gandan Tegchenling Monastery is a prominent centre of Mongolian Buddhists and a treasure house of valuable Buddhist heritage. It hosted the 11th General Assembly of Asian Buddhist Conference for Peace  from 21-23 June 2019 marking the 50th anniversary of the Conference. Over 150 guests from 14 countries including India, South Korea, Russia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, North Korea, LPDR, Thailand, Japan etc. had participated in the event.
The Statue unveiled today by Prime Minister and Mongolian President H.E. Khaltmaagiin Battulga symbolizes the shared respect of our two countries for the universal message of Lord Buddha.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
ICAR led National Agricultural Research System  Developed 1956 High Yielding Varieties/Hybrids of 80 Field Crops since 2014
56 less Water Requiring Varieties/Hybrids of Field Crops have been Developed during 2018-19 to 2020-21
Indian Council of Agricultural Research  led National Agricultural Research System  has developed 1956 high yielding varieties/hybrids of 80 field crops since 2014 which include 173 less water requiring varieties/hybrids of cereals , oilseeds , pulses , fiber crops , forages  and sugarcane .
Total of 56 less water requiring varieties/hybrids of field crops have been developed during 2018-19 to 2020-21, comprising of 31 of Cereals ; 6 of Oilseeds ; 10 of Pulses ; 2 of Forages ; 2 of cotton and 5 of Sugarcane.
During last 3 years, 6975.32 quintals  breeder seed of less water requiring varieties was produced and supplied to various public and private seed production agencies for downstream multiplication as foundation and certified seed by ICAR. A total of 74,43,879 q of certified/ quality seeds of high yielding varieties/hybrids  was made available during the years 2019-20 to 2020-21.
This information was given by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Naya Savera Scheme
The Ministry implemented ‘Naya Savera’ scheme  to assist students/candidates belonging to the six notified minority communities namely Sikh, Jain, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Parsi by way of special coaching for qualifying examinations for admission in technical/professional courses and competitive examination for recruitment to Group Á, ‘B’, & ‘C’ services and other equivalent posts under the Central and State Governments including public sector undertakings, banks and railways. The scheme was implemented across the country through empaneled Project Implementing Agencies .
Since inception, 1,19,223 minority students/candidates have been benefited under Naya Savera Scheme, out of which 12,155 beneficiaries were from state of Andhra Pradesh. The details of physical achievement during last three years are given below:
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Year
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Number of students allocated
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2019-2020
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9,580
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2020-2021
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5,300
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2021-2022
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5,090
State-wise details of minority students benefited under the scheme is available on the website of Ministry www.minorityaffairs.gov.in .
The duration of the coaching period under the scheme were from 3 months to 2 years depending upon the coaching programme allocated to the PIAs. The scheme has been discontinued w.e.f. 2022-23.
This information was given by the Minister of Minority Affairs Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani, in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Covid Vaccination of children between 15 and 18 years begins South 24 Parganas
Kolkata, 3rd January, 2022
COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years has begun all over the country. The vaccine option for children is only Covaxin for less than 18 years. Union Health Ministry has said that all those whose birth year is 2004 or before, will be eligible for all vaccines including COVISHIELD, but for 15 to 17 years, born in 2005 to 2007 are eligible only for Covaxin. About eight lakh beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group have registered on the CoWIN portal for vaccination.
In South 24 Parganas, COVID vaccinaiton for 15-18 years was started from Bishnupur Avaycharan High school. Near about 3.5 lakh students will be vaccinated under this programme in the district.
So far 100% first dose and 85% second dose vaccination has already been administered to adult population in the district. Last mile coverage is being done now.
From 10th onwards booster dose will be given to Health care workers and front line workers. Those who have completed 39 weeks from 2nd dose will be eligible. Similarly same will be done for 60+ citizen’s based on doctor's advice.
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Ministry of Food Processing Industries
FPI Schemes for Rural Areas
The Ministry of Food Processing industries  has been implementing Central Sector Umbrella Scheme - Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana  since 2016-17 for overall growth and development of food processing sector, including processing of agro- products and thus increasing the income of the farmers. The component schemes of PMKSY are -  Mega Food Park,  Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure,  Creation /Expansion of Food Processing & Preservation Capacities,  Infrastructure for Agro-Processing Clusters,  Creation of Backward & Forward linkages,  Food Safety and Quality Assurance Infrastructure,  Human Resource and Institutions,  Operation Greens. Under component schemes of PMKSY, MoFPI provides mostly credit linked financial assistance  in the form of grants-in-aid to entrepreneurs for setting up of food processing / preservation industries. PMKSY is not region or state specific but demand driven and is implemented across the country including the rural areas of Tamil Nadu. So far, Ministry has approved 41 Mega food Parks, 353 Cold Chain projects, 63 AgroProcessing Clusters, 292 Food Processing Units, 63 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 6 Operation Green projects across the country under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY. Out of these, Ministry has approved 1 Mega Food Park project, 17 Cold Chain projects, 10 Agro Processing Clusters, 22Food Processing Units, 9 Creation of Backward & Forward Linkages Projects & 20 Food Test Laboratory projects in Tamil Nadu under corresponding component schemes of PMKSY.
The sanctioned projects across the country under component schemes of PMKSY are estimated to benefit about 34 lakh famers on completion. In the evaluation study of Integrated Cold Chain and Value Addition Infrastructure Scheme conducted by M/s NABARD Consultancy Limited  in Year 2020, it has been estimated that captive projects under the scheme have resulted in increase in farm-gate prices by 12.38 % and each project is estimated to benefit more than 9500 farmers.
Also, as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Initiative, MoFPI is implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme-PM Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme  for providing financial, technical and business support for setting up/upgradation of 2 lakh micro food processing enterprises through credit linked subsidy during five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 with an outlay of Rs.10,000 crore. Out of this, a total of 12128 units have been allocated to Tamil Nadu with tentative outlay of Rs 572.71 cr. for five years.
This information was given by Minister of State, M/o Food Processing Industries, Shri Prahlad Singh Patel in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Finance
Extension of Due Date for filing of Income Tax Returns
The due date for filing of Income Tax Returns for Assessment Year 2018-19 is 31.07.2018 for certain categories of taxpayers. Upon consideration of the matter, the Central Board of Direct Taxes extends the ‘due date’ for filing of Income Tax Returns from 31st July, 2018 to 31st August, 2018 in respect of the said categories of taxpayers.